Convertible pool enclosure

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool enclosure comprising a plurality of arched supporting beams which extend from ground level up over an area to be enclosed, and a series of panel members arranged between each adjacent pair of supporting beams and hinged to one another for movement along such beams between extended enclosing positions and retracted open positions, the panels in the latter positions being folded and stacked relative to one another.

United States Patent [191' Ray [ CONVERTIBLE POOL ENCLOSURE [76}Inventor: George D. Ray, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Libertyville, 111. 60611[22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,279

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,788,849 4/1957 Lingard160/188 3,572,002 3/1971 Nichols 52/86 2,979,012 4/1961 Kummerman160/188 1,612,499 12/1926 Etheredge 160/206 1,945,729 2/1934. Callender160/206 2,493,815 1/1950 Guilbert 160/206 2,942,658 6/1960 Wilson 52/663,510,996 5/1970 Popil 52/64 3,118,148 1/1964 Taylor et al. 52/633,662,410 5/1972 Lankheet 52/67 1,676,500 7/1928 McGinnis 160/35 7/1967Elder ..l60/206 3,333,621 3,280,888 10/1966 Davis 160/35 3,501,7833/1970 Broadman.. 4/172.l4

3,271,788 9/1966 Bender 4/172.14 2,268,192 12/1941 Davis et al. 160/199FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 287,024 9/1915 Germany 52/71 686287/1956 Germany 160/206 796,534 4/1936 France 160/35 1,261,919 4/1961France 160/206 Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant ExaminerLeslieA. Braun Attorney-Lee J. Gary et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A swimming pool enclosure comprising a plurality of archedsupporting beams which extend from ground level up over an area to beenclosed, and a series of panel members arranged between each adjacentpair of supporting beams and hinged to one another for movement alongsuch beams between extended enclosing positions and retracted openpositions, the panels in the-latter positions being folded and stackedrelative to one another.

13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 23, 1973 NR mm Wm g m m w% Wi 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 23, 1973 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 PatentedOct. 23, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ANN 1 CONVERTIBLE POOL ENCLOSURE BRIEFSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a convertibleenclosure and is intended primarily as a swimming pool enclosurealthough it has other useful applications. The structure includes aplurality of arched beams which are supported at each end at or belowground level and extend up over a swimming pool so as to provide a framesupporting structure for retractable closure panels. The closure panelsare movable between extended or enclosing positions and open orretracted positions. Such panels are preferably made of translucentplastic material and when in their extended positions they form thewalls and roof of the enclosure. When the panels are moved to theirretracted positions approximately 95 percent of the enclosure is openedleaving in position above the ground only the arched supportingstructure which may be designed to provide an aesthetically pleasingappearance.

The arched supporting beams are arranged in parallel relation to one.another and have channels formed in the sides thereof which serve astracks for the movable closure panels. A series of closure panels isprovided between each adjacent pair of supporting beams, and the panelsin a given series are hinged to one another in end-to-end relation. Sucha series of interconnected panels may be moved along the tracks in acorresponding pair of supporting beams to enclosing positions whereinthe panels are extended and form the walls and roof of the enclosure.The series of panels may also be moved in an opposite direction alongthe tracks to open or retracted positions wherein the panels are stackedin a folded relationship with one another. A compartment for housing theretracted panel members may be located at ground level or beneath theground so as to be completely hidden. At least one of the panels in anygiven series thereof is associated with drive means for actuating theseries of panels between extended and retracted positions.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved convertible pool enclosure which is capable of completelyenclosing a swimming pool area to permit use thereof in any climate andwhich can be opened automatically by retracting a plu rality of hingedlyconnected closure panelsinto storage positions wherein they are foldedrelative to one another thereby opening approximately 95 percent of theenclosure.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of a preferred embodimentthereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF Tl-IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of aconvertible swimming pool enclosure constructed in accordance with thepresent invention; f

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, showing threeof a series of hingedly connected panel members of a length sufficientto span the distance between an adjacent pair of arched supporting beamsso as to be movable in tracks provided by such beams, one of the panelsshown comprising an actuator panel having drive means associatedtherewith;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view takensubstantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing drive mechanism associated with a selectedone of the closure panels;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the manner in which a guide rolleris associated with one of the panels in a floating manner so as toaccommodate variations in spacing between adjacent supporting beams;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing the manner in which aplurality of closure panels may be retracted into a compartment locatedbelow ground level at the lower ends of a corresponding pair ofsupporting beams;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing escape and recapture mechanism forcontrolling a plurality of secondary rollers which are associated withthe closure panels and which are moved out of the tracks formed in thesupporting beams during the folding of the closure panels into theirretracted positions;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the position of the escapemechanism when a primary roller hub member moves therepast;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the position of theescape mechanism as a primary roller hub member is moved out of thestorage compartment in a direction opposite to the direction of movementshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional viewtaken substantially along the line 1111 ofFIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing structure for producinga seal between the edge of a movable closure panel and the edge of astationary supporting beam.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the mannerofmaking and using my invention. I shall describe, in'conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings,there is shown in FIG. 1 a convertible pool enclosure 20 for enclosing aswimming pool P. The enclosure 20 comprises a plurality of archedsupporting beams 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and 22e which extend over the poolas well as over a paved deck area D surrounding the pool. In theparticular embodiment described, five arched supporting beams 22 areshown, but the number thereof may vary. The beams 22 are arrangedparallel to one another and are spaced apart to accommodate retractableclosure panels therebetween. In the particular embodiment beingdescribed the spacing between adjacent supporting beams is 15 feet, andthus the total length of the enclosed area is 60 feet which would beappropriate for example for a swimming pool 40 feet in length. It willbe understood however that the number of supporting beams and thespacing between adjacent beams can be varied to suit particularapplications.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the supporting beams 22 are arcuate intheir configuration and are symmetrical about a longitudinal centerlineof the pool enclosure, i.e., they are symmetrical about a longitudinalroof beam shown at 24. However, one of the advantages of the presentinvention is that it permits use of supporting beams of various selectedcontours which need not be symmetrical about a longitudinal centerlineof the pool enclosure.

The area between adjacent supporting beams 22 is occupied by closurepanels 26 which serve as the walls and roof of the enclosure when intheir extended or raised positions and which can be retracted intounderground storage compartments in order to open approximately 95percent of the enclosure. In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, thelongitudinal roof beam 24 extends the full length of the enclosure 20from the apex of the supporting beam 22a to the apex of the supportingbeam 22e. Consequently, two oppositely disposed series of closure panels26 are provided between each pair of supporting beams. For example, afirst series of closure panels 26a is provided to the left side of thelongitudinal roof beam 24 (as viewed in FIG. 1) between the archedsupporting beams 22a and 22b, and a second series of closure panels 26ais provided to the right side of the longitudinal beam 24 between thesupporting beams 22a and 22b. Similarly, a first series of closurepanels 26b is provided to the left side of the longitudinal beam 24between the supporting beams 22b and 220, and a second series of closurepanels 26b is provided to the right side of the longitudinal beam 24between the supporting beams 22b and 220. Similar series of closurepanels are provided on each side of the longitudinal beam 24 between thearched supporting beams 22c and 22d and between the arched supportingbeams 22d and 22e, although the spaces between the latter threesupporting beams are shown open in FIG. 1 to indicate that the closurepanels located therebetween are in their retracted positions.

The series of closure panels 26a are hingedly connected to one another,and at least one of the panels is associated with drive means for movingthe series of hinged panels between extended and retracted positions. Inthe particular embodiment shown, the leading or uppermost panel shown at28a is associated with drive means for actuating that panel and all ofthe other interconnected panels in the corresponding series. As will bedescribed more fully hereinafter, the supporting beams 22a and 22binclude channels which serve as tracks for guiding the series of panels26a as the latter are moved between extended and retracted positions.

Thus, when the structure is to be closed, the leading panel 28a isdriven to its uppermost position as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the'panel28a is positioned adjacent the longitudinalroof beam 24. It will beunderstood that when the leading panel 28a is driven to its uppermostposition, all of the other interconnected panels 26a will be pulled totheir extended positions so as to enclose the entire area between thearched supporting beam 22a and 22b from the ground level or deck at theleft side of the enclosure up to the apex of the enclosure at thelongitudinal roof beam 24. In a similar manner, the uppermost leadingpanel of the series of panels 260' may be driven to its uppermostposition adjacent the opposite side of the longitudinal roof beam 24 soas to enclose the area between the supporting beams 22a and 22b from theground level or deck at the right side of the enclosure up to the apexof the enclosure at the longitudinal roof beam 24.

In order to retract the series of panels 26a, a decklevel closure doorindicated generally at 30 in FIG. I is opened and the drive meansassociated with the leading panel 28a is operated in reverse to drivethe panel 28a downwardly thereby pushing the entire series of hingedlyinterconnected panels 260 downwardly into an underground storagecompartment where the panels are automatically stacked in foldedrelationship with one another in a manner to-be described more fullylater herein. In a similarmanner, all of the various series of panelsmay be retracted into corresponding underground compartments leaving inposition above ground only the supporting beams 22 and the longitudinalbeam 24.

It will be understood that in the particular embodiment disclosed inFIG. 1 there are provided two oppositely disposed series of closurepanels between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams for a totalof eight series of closure panels each of which is associated with itsown independent drive means. As shown for purposes of illustration inFIG. 1, four of the series of closure panels are in their upper extendedpositions while the remaining four series of panels are retracted. Ifdesired, the longitudinal roof beam 24 may be eliminated and only asingle series of interconnected panels provided between each adjacentpair of arched sup porting beams. For example, the two separatelypowered series of panels 26a and 26a may be replaced with a singleseries of interconnected panels which is stored below ground level on aselected side of the enclosure. In the last-mentioned application, theleading panel is driven from the underground storage compartment up overthe top of the arched supporting beams and down to the deck D at theopposite sides of the supporting beams, and of course the total lengthof the series of interconnected panels must be sufficient to extend fromone side of the deck D along the length of the arched beams to theopposite deck Depending upon the power requirements of the drive means,one or any desired additional number of the panels in a given series maybe directly associated with drive means. When using an arrangement ofthe type last above-mentioned, it will be understood that the storagecompartment is located on only one side of the pool deck and must be ofa larger capacity as compared to an arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 wheretwo opposed series of panels retract in opposite directions to oppositesides of the pool deck D. In addition, where desired, the storagecompartments may be located immediately above ground level rather thanunderground. While underground storage provides improved appearance, thestorage of the panels in folded relationship in accordance with thepresent invention permits use of relatively compact storagecompartments.

FIG. 2 shows by way of example three panels comprising the actuatorpanel 28a and two additional panels 30 and 32. The end supporting beam22a includes a channel 34 having individual tracks described hereinafterfor accommodating various rollers and drive means associated with thecorresponding ends of the panel members. The adjacent supporting beam22b includes two channels 36 and 38 for accommodating the rollers anddrive means associated with the adjacent end of the respective series ofpanels located on either side of the beam.

The drive means associated with the leading panel 28a will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

A drive motor 40 is supported on framework 42 of the panel 28a andoperates through a gear box 41 to rotate a drive shaft rod 44 and driveshaft 46 which are interconnected by a universal joint 48 (see FIG. 2).As best shown in FIG. 4, the drive shaft 46 is journalled in a framemember 49 by means of a bearing 50 and has mounted on the end thereof awide gear member 52. The gear 52 drives a gear 54 to which is affixed atubular sleeve 56. The sleeve 56 has a drive sprocket 58 fixedly mountedthereon and the latter cooperates with a fixed drive chain 60. The fixeddrive chain 60 is positioned in a track provided therefor in the archedsupporting beam 22a and the chain extends from the lower end of thesupporting beam up to the longitudinal roof beam 24 whereby rotation ofthe drive sprocket 58 by the motor 40 will cause the actuator panel 28ato be driven along the arched supporting beam between the upper andlower positions described hereinabove. It will be seen from FIG. 2 thatthe motor 40 also actuates a drive shaft rod 62 which rotates a drivesprocket 58' at the opposite end of the panel 28a in the same manner asdescribed above with respect to the drive sprocket 58. It will thus beunderstood that each powered closure panel is provided with drive meanscomprising a motor and a pair of drive sprockets one at each end of thepanel, and each such drive sprocket cooperates with a correspondingfixed chain which is positioned in a channel provided in a correspondingarched supporting beam.

FIG. 4 further illustrates a primary roller 64 which is rotatablymounted by a bearing 65 on an outer end portion 66 of the sleeve 56. Theprimary roller 64 is movable in a track 68 provided therefor in thesupporting beam 22a. As shown in FIG. 2, a second primary roller 64 ismounted in alignment with the roller 64 at the opposite end of theclosure panel 28a and the roller 64 moves in a track provided thereforin the supporting beam 22b. The tubular sleeve 56 (see FIG. 4) isrotatably mounted on a shaft 69 by means of a bearing 70 and the tubularsleeve 56 is capable. of axial floating movement relative to the shaft69 and bearing 70- thereby permitting axial floating movement of thedrive sprocket 58 and the primary roller 64. It will be noted thatthe'relatively narrow gear 54 is capable of axial floating movementrelative to the wider gear 52 without affecting the operative drivingrelationship therebetween. An important advantage in mounting the drivesprocket and guide rollers so as to permit axial floating movementthereof is that such components can then readily adjust to any smallvariations in the spacing between the adjacent arched supporting beamssuch as the beams 22a and 22b.

In order to supply electrical power to the motor 40 as the latter moveswith the actuator panel 28a along the length of the. arched supportingbeams there is provided a channel in the supporting beam 22a comprisinga housing 72 of insulating material (see FIG. 5), and a pair of copperstrips as shown at 74 and 76 which extend along the length of thesupporting beam 22a. A tubular member 78 extends outwardly through thecenter of the primary roller 64 and carries on the end thereof a pair ofarcuate spring members 80 and 82 each of which mounts a pair of brushesone at each end thereof. The tubular member 78 is also capable of axialfloating movement relative to the shaft 69 as shown by the pin and slotconnection at 83 in FIG. 4, the tube 78 being supported inside the endportion 66 of the rotating drive sleeve 56 by means of a bearing 83'.The four brushes are yieldingly held in engagement against the twocopper strips 74 and 76 so as to receive electrical power therefrom asthe actuator panel 28a moves along the length of the supporting beam220. Such power is conducted to the motor 40 by means of electricalleads which pass through the tubular member 78.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the actuator panel 28a is provided with apair of drive sprockets 58 and 58' and a pair of primary rollers 64 and64' as described above, and it should be understood that the termprimary" roller is used herein to describe a roller which does not leaveits guide track during folding of the various panels into retractedpositions as will be described later herein. The primary rollers 64 and64 are located in oppositely disposed relation adjacent what may betermed the leading corners of the panel. A further pair of primaryrollers 84 and 84 are mounted on the panel 28a in oppositely disposedrelation adjacent the trailing corners thereof, and thus the actuatorpanel 28a is guided and stabilized by the four primary rollers 64, 64',84 and 84. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary roller 84 is mounted on theend of a shaft 86 which is rotatably journalled by a bearing 88 in atubular sleeve member 90 which in turn is capable of axial floatingmovement relative to a housing member 92. In the foregoing manner, theprimary rollers 84 and 84 are also capable of axial floating movement tocompensate for any variations in the spacing of the corresponding pairof arched supporting beams 22a and 22b.

Because the actuator panel 28a is guided by means of four primaryrollers as above described, it will be understood that the panel 28adoes not fold when the series of panels powered by the panel 28a arefolded into retracted positions in an underground storage compartment.However, the remaining panels in such series are capable of such foldingaction, and thus either the leading or trailing edge of each suchremaining panel must be capable of moving out of its normal path inorder to permit folding and stacking of the several panels. As shown inFIG. 2, the panel 30 has a pair of oppositely disposed primary rollers94 and 94' associated with its leading edge and a pair of secondaryrollers 96 and 96 associated with its trailing edge. As will beexplained more fully hereinafter, the secondary rollers leave theirguide track during a folding operation and then are returned to theguide track when the panels are again moved to extended positions.

The actuator panel 280 is hingedly connected to the next panel member 30by means of a pair of links 98 and 98'. As shown in FIG. 6, the link 98is pivotally connected to the sleeve 90 by means of a pin 100, and it ispivotally connected in a similar manner to a sleeve associated with theprimary roller 94. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the link 98 is pivotallyconnected to the sleeve 90 by the pin 100, and is pivotally connected toa sleeve 102 of the panel 30 by means of a pin 104. It will thus beunderstood that the panels 28a and 30 may be folded relative to oneanother, and as viewed in FIG. 3 such folding action can be visualizedas an upward movement of the left hand portion of the panel 28a aboutthe pivot pin and an upward movement of the right hand portion of thepanel 30 about the pivot pin 104 thereby bringing the two panels intoapproximately parallel or folded relationship with one another. FIG. 3further shows a pair of scissors arms 106 and 108 which are pivotallyconnected to the respective panels 28a and 30 by pins 110 and 112 andwhich are pivotally connected at their outer ends to one another by apin 114. The scissors arms 106 and 108 serve to prevent lateral shiftingmovement of the two panels relative to one another. As shown in FIG. 2,a connecting link 98 and a pair of scissors arms 106 and 108 are alsoprovided at the opposite end of the panels 28a and 30.

The panels 30 and 32 are also hingedly connected to one another as bestshown in FIG. 3. The panel 30 is provided with three lug members 116,118, 120 and the panel 32 is provided with a pair of lug members 122 and124. The lugs 122 and 124 fit into corresponding spaces between thethree lug members 116, 118 and 120, and a hinge pin 126 serves tointerconnect the same. It will thus be understood that the panels 30 and32 may be folded relative to one another, and as viewed in FIG. 3 suchfolding action can be visualized as a downward movement of the left handportion of the panel 30 about the pivot pin 126 and a downward movementof the right hand portion of the panel 32 about the same pivot pinthereby bringing the two panels into approximately parallel or foldedrelationship with one another.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will now be seen that a given series ofinterconnected panels comprises three basic types of panel members. Onetype is the actuator panel 28a which is motor-driven through a pair ofsprocket wheels- 58 and 58' and which is guided for movement along thearched supporting beams by four primary rollers 64, 64, 84 and 84.Secondly, there is the panel 30 which is connected to the actuator panel28a by the pair of pivot links 98 and 98' and which is guided by a pairof oppositely disposed primary rollers 94 and 94' positioned adjacentthe leading corners of the panel and a pair of oppositely'disposedsecondary rollers 96 and 96 which are located adjacent the trailingcorners of the panel. It should be noted that the secondary rollers movein a track 127 (see FIG. 4) which is laterally offset from the primaryroller track 68. Thirdly, there is the panel 32 which is connected atits opposite ends to'the panel 30 by a pair of hinge pins such as thehinge pin shown at 126 in FIG. 3 and which is guided by'means of asingle pair of oppositely disposed primary rollers such as'the rollershown at 128 in FIG. 2.

Apart from the actuator panel 28a which does not fold during retractionof a series of panels, itwill be seen that each of the-remaining panelshas one edge'associated with a pair of primary rollers which do notleave their corresponding guide tracks in the respective archedsupporting beams and an opposite edge which is associated with a pair ofsecondary rollers designed to leave their corresponding guide tracks topermit a folding operation. Thus, the leading edge of the panel 30 iscontrolled by the primary rollers 94 and 94' and the trailing edge iscontrolled by the secondary rollers 96 and 96', the panel 30 thus beingguided by a total of four rollers. The leading edge of the panel 32 isnot provided with rollers since it is controlled by the secondaryrollers 96 and 96' associated with the trailing edge of the panel 30,whereas the trailing edge of the panel 32 is controlled by a'pair ofoppositely disposed primary rollers such as the roller shown at 128 inFIG. 2. In a similar manner, the entire series of panels driven by theactuator panel 28a comprises alternate panels of the type shown at 30and 32 and alternate types of 8 hinged connecting means as shown at 98and at 126 in FIG. 3. Thus, every other panel is of the type shown at 30having two primary rollers and two secondary rollers, and every otherpanel is of the type shown at 32 having only a pair of primary rollers.

It will be noted from FIG. 3 that sealing members are provided tocreatea seal between each of the adjacent panels when the same are in theirextended positions. The sealing means between thehinged panels 28a and30 comprises a pair of surface seals 130 and 132 which are mountedrespectively on the outer trailing edge of the panel 28a and the outerleading edge of the panel 30. The seals 130 and 132 extend along thefull length of their respective panels and firmly engage one another toprovide an effective seal when the panels are in their extendedpositions as shown. In addition, secondary seals 134 and 136 are mountedrespectively on the panels 28a and 30 inwardly of the surface seals, andsuch secondary seals also extend substantially along the entire lengthof the panels. The secondary seals are arranged to abut firmly againstone another when the panels are in their extended positions. It will beunderstood that the surface seals 130 and 132 are made flexible so as toaccommodate the necessary deformation thereof when the panels 28a and 30are folded relative to one another about the hinge pins 100 and 104.

Sealing means is also provided between the panel 30 and the panel 32' asshown in FIG. 3. A seal member 138 is secured to the outer leading edgeof the panel 32 so as to extend substantially the full length of thepanel, and a complementary seal member 140 is secured to the outertrailing edge of the panel 30. The seals 138 and 140 are arranged toabut firmly against one another when the panels are in their extendedpositions as shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the seal 140includes a lip portion 142 which overlies the outer leading edge of thepanel 32 and thus also overlies the seal member 138 to provide moreeffective sealing action.

The mechanism for effecting automatic retractionof a series of panelsinto folded or stacked relation will now be described with reference toFIG. 7. As noted previously in connection with FIG. 4, the archedsupporting beam 22a, as well as the other arched supporting beams,provides two separate laterally offset roller tracks, one track for theprimary rollers as shown at 68 and a second track for the secondaryrollers as shown at 127. The track 68 for'the primary rollers extendsdown to the extreme lower end of the supporting beam 22a and serves toretain each of the primary rollers so that the latter cannot escape fromthe track. On the other hand, the track 127 for the secondary rollers isopened in the area of the underground storage cavity so as to permit theescape of the secondary rollers.

The actuator panel 28a is driven downwardly to retract the panels intoan underground storage cavity shown at 144 in FIG. 7, the motor 140being reversible and thereby being selectively operated to push theinterconnected panels in the series down into the cavity 144. As thevarious primary rollers move into the cavity 144 they remain in theprimary roller track 68. On the other hand, the secondary rollers aredeflected out of their track 127 by means of a secondary roller exit cam146. Before describing theexit cam mechanism in detail, it may beobserved from FIG. 7 that as a pair of oppositely disposed secondaryrollers engage the exit cam 146, the rollers are deflected out of theirtrack and caused to move to a rest position on a corresponding one ofthe various roller support plates provided in the storage cavity asshown at 148, 150, 152 and154. Such deflection of each pair of secondaryrollers out of their normal track causes the various panels to be foldedand stacked relative to one another in an efficient and compact manner.

Thus, with reference to the first panel 156 which is pushed to thestoragecompartment, thepair of leading primary rollers 158 remain in thetrack 68 and come to rest against a stop plate 159, while the next pairof secondary rollers 160 are deflected out of their track and caused toswing over to the support plate 148 thereby causing the panel 156 toassume a position generally perpendicular to the track 68. Forconvenience of description, each of the various hinges of the type shownat 126 in FIG. 3 will be identified by that same reference numeral inFIG. 7, and the various hinge links of the type shown at 98 in FIG. 3will be identified by that number in FIG. 7. Thus, the next panel 162which is equipped with only a pair of primary rollers 164 and which isconnected to the panel 156 by a hinge 126 is caused to fold into aposition approximately parallel to the first panel 156. The succeedingpanels are folded and stacked seriatim on top of one another in the samemanner described hereinabove as each pair of primary rollers remains inthe .track 68 while each pair of secondary rollers is deflected andcaused to swing out of their tracks and over-to a correspondingsupportplate of the type shown at 148, 150, 152 and 154. The actuatorpanel 280 is equipped with two'pairs of primary roll- 68. However, thedistance between the leading and trailing edges of the actuator panel isless than for the remaining closure panels so that it readily fitswithin the upper portion of the storage cavity. When the panels are tobe extended the actuator panel 28a is driven upwardly along thecorresponding pair'of arched supporting beams 22a and 22b and in turnpulls the remai ning panels'in the series upwardly into extendedpositions. During thelatter operation the various secondary rollers areguided back into the track 127.

The exit cam 146' and related mechanism will now be described inconjunction with FIGS. 8-11. As shown in F IG. 8,the secondary rollertrack 127 has a portion of its outer wall removed between the wall edges166 and 168 so as to permit the secondary rollers to leave the trackduring stacking of the panels in the storage coma partment. For example,as the secondary roller 160 reaches the position shown at 160a it rollsup a ramp 170 on a cam support frame 171 and along the cam plate or shoe146 to theposition shown at 16% after which it moves along a guide plate172. In the foregoing manner each of the secondary rollers is guided outof the secondary roller track 12-7 and due to the resultant folding ofthe panels moves to one of the storage positions shown in FIG. 7. Itwill further be noted that during subsequent extension of the panels thevarious secondary rollers are guided back into the track 127 by thereentry cam plate '174.

When the primary rollers approach the storage compartment 144 theyremain in the roller track 68 as shown in FIG. 7 and in order to reachtheir storage positions the hub member associated with each primaryroller will deflect the cam plate 146 out of the way in the manner shownin FIG. 9. The cam plate 146 is pivotally mounted on the pin 176 and inits normal position overlies a bellcrank member 178 comprising a firstarm 180. and a second arm 182. The bellcrank arm 182 is connected to abellcrank lever 184 by means of a link 186, and the lever184 is biasedin a clockwise direction about its pivot 187 by a tension spring 188which is anchored at one end to a lug 190 on the frame 171 and isconnected at its other end tothe lever 184 as shown at l9.2. The lever184 acts through the link 186 to bias the lever 178 in acounterclockwise direction about its pivot 176 thereby yieldinglyholding the lever 178 in its normal position as shown in FIG. 8 with thearm 180 engaged against a stop 194. In the foregoing manner, the camplate 146 is yieldingly held in the position shown in FIG. 8 with aforce sufficient to guide the secondary rollers up to the guide plate172 in the manner hereinabove described. However, when for example aprimary roller hub 196 associated with the primary roller 158 engagesthe cam plate 146, the primary roller is retained in its track and thusthe primary roller hub 196 overcomes the force of the spring 188 anddeflects the cam plate 146 and supporting lever 178 to the positionsshown in FIG. 9.

The cam plate 146 is yieldingly held in engagement with the bellcranklever'l78 by means of a tension spring 198 and bellcrank lever 200. Thelever 200 is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the arm 180 by a pin202 and the lever 200 is biased in a clockwise direction about its pivot202 by the tension spring 198 which has one end anchored to the framelug 190 and its opposite end connected to one end of the lever 200 at204'. The opposite end of the lever 200 is connected to the cam plate146 by a link206, the latter being connected to the lever 200 by apin208 and to the cam plate 146 by a pin 210. v

During movement of the panels out of the storage compartment 144 each ofthe primary roller hubs must again move past the secondary roller carnplate 146. During such movement the primary roller hub 196 will engageand depress the curved bellcrank arm 182 so as to deflect the latter outof the path of the roller by overcoming'the force of the spring 188. Theprimary roller hub 196 .will also engage the cam plate 146 and byovercoming the force of the spring 198 will move the cam plate 146 in acounterclockwise direction to the position shown .in FIG. 10.. After thehub 196 has passed beyond-the bellcrank arm 182 and the cam plate 146thelatter members and related components will be returned to thepositions shown in FIG. 8 by the springs 188 and 198. v v

The end walls of the enclosure as indicated generally at 212 in FIG. 1may take any desired form but preferably are capable of being closed sothat when the various roof panels are in their closed positions the poolP will be completely enclosed. It will be understood that heating,cooling and air exchange equipment is preferably utilized in conjunctionwith the convertible enclosure of the present invention so as to providea climatecontrolled environment extending pool use to a full 12 months ayear. The end wall 212 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of fixedtransparent panels 214 and an open area shown at 216 which may be closedby a plurality of foldable doors or the like (not shown). It is alsopreferable that the roof closure panels be transparent. For example,with reference to the panel 30 shown in FIG. 2, the panel is comprisedof a rectangular aluminum frame 218 and a sheet 220 of transparentacrylic material.

The convertible enclosure of the present invention is designed so thatit is effectively sealed against the outside atmosphere when the variousclosure panels are in their closed positions. The seals between adjacentend portions of the pivotally connected panels have previously beendescribed in conjunction with FIG. 3, the seals between the panels 28aand 30 being indicated at 130, 132, 134 and 136 and the seals betweenthe panels 30 and 32 being indicated at 138 and 140. In addition, FIG.12 shows a seal between the edge portion of one of the arched supportingbeams such as the beam 22a and the adjacent edge portion of one of thepivotally connected closure panels such as the panels 28a, 30 and 32.There is shown an edge portion 222 (see also FIG. having mounted thereona continuous sheet metal plate 224 which extends along the beam edgeportion 222 and comprises an outer wall 226 and a depending lip portion228. A nylon brush 230 is mounted inside the wall 226 to extendcontinuously along the length thereof. A corresponding edge portion of amovable closure panel is shown at 232, and the latter has mountedthereon a sheet metal seal plate 234 the outer end of which projectspartly into the brush 230 for cooperation therewith to provide aneffective seal while permitting movement of the plate 234 relative tothe brush 230 during extension or retraction of the various closurepanels.

It will be understood that each of the panel edge portions is providedwith a seal plate of the type shown at 234, and there is a small gapbetween the adjacent end portions of the various individual seal plates234. Accordingly, an additional seal plate shown in dotted lines at 236in FIG. 12 is secured to alternate closure panels. The seal plate 236 isattached to a given panel and is of a length sufficient to overlap theadjacent panel edge portion thereby closing the gap between the adjacentseal plates 234. Th seal plate 236 cooperates with the brush 230 in thesame manner as the seal plate 234.

The manner of mounting and retracting the closure panels of the presentinvention is particularly advantageous for the reason that duringmovement of the closure panels toward a storage compartment, as shown at144 in FIG. 7, the panels do not begin to fold relative to one anotheruntil they reach the exit cam 146 which is located within the storagecompartment. Prior to reaching such a position the panels remain fullyextended. The roller track structure provided in conjunction with thesupporting beams is also considerably simplified by use of the exit cam146 and related escape and recapture mechanism described hereinabove inconjunction with FIGS. 8-11. It should also be noted that the drivemechanism of the present invention permits the various series of panelsto be stopped in any desired intermediate positions between the fullyextended and fully retracted positions in order to provide side wallsfor protection against wind while leaving the upper portion of thestructure substantially open, or for any other desired purpose.

With reference to the connecting link shown at 98 in FIG. 3 forinterconnecting the panels 28a and 30, as there shown the link isconnected to a sleeve 90 at one end by a pin 100 and to a sleeve 102 atits other end by a pin 104. However, in accordance with an alternativeembodiment it may be desirable to provide a pair of spaced pins for eachof the foregoing connections rather than the single pins 100 and 104.With an arrangement of the latter type no pivotal movement will bepossible between the link 98 and the sleeves and 102, and thus when thepanels 30 and 32 are folded relative to one another the pivotal movementwill necessarily occur about the axes of the sleeves 90 and 102 and notabout the ends of the connecting link.

I claim:

1. A convertible swimming pool enclosure comprising, in combination, aplurality of arched supporting beams arranged in parallel spaced apartrelation to extend over a swimming pool area to be enclosed, each saidsupporting beam extending upwardly over said pool area from one side tothe other side thereof, the ends of each said supporting beam beingfixedly supported on opposite sides of said pool area and theintermediate portions of said arched supporting beams defining astationary curved roof frame structure extending in arched fashion oversaid pool area at a height substantially above the latter, panel guidemeans associated with said supporting beams, a plurality of rigidclosure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of said supportingbeams, said closure panels each being of a size sufficient to span thedistance between said pair of supporting beams and being pivotallyconnected to one another for movement along the curved path of saidsupporting beams under the control of said panel guide means, said guidemeans being in engagement with opposite end portions of said closurepanels to maintain said panels approximately tangent to said curved pathwhereby said closure panels when in their extended positions define asubstantially smooth curved surface corresponding approximately to thecurvature of said supporting beams, a storage area for said closurepanels adjacent a side of said pool area, and motor drive meansconnected with said plurality of closure panels for moving the samebetween extended positions wherein they enclose the area between saidsupporting beams and storage positions wherein they are retracted intosaid storage area in folded relation to one another, said panel guidemeans including folding means which effects folding of said rigidclosure panels relative to one another, said folding means beingproximate said storage area whereby when said closure panels are movedtoward said storage area a closure panel will begin to fold only afterit has reached a position proximate said storage area.

2. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said plurality of closure panels comprises two independentseries of closure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of archedsupporting beams, a first series of pivotally connected panels when intheir extended positions serving to enclose the area betweenapproximately one-half of the length of said supporting beams and asecond series of pivotally connected panels when in their extendedpositions serving to enclose the area between the other one-half of thelength of said supporting beams, said first and second series of panelsbeing in oppositely disposed relation and being movable outwardly awayfrom one another and downwardly when moved to their storage positionsand being movable upwardly and toward one another when moved to theirextended positions, and a pair of storage compartments, one locatedproximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on one side of saidarea to be enclosed and the other located proximate the lower ends ofsaid supporting beams on the opposite side of said area.

3. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type de fined in claim 1wherein at least one selected closure panel of a series ofinterconnected closure panels has motor drive means mounted thereon, andsaid motor drive means being movable with said selected closure paneland serving to drive the same along said supporting beams between saidextended and said storage positions, said selected closure panelsthereby serving to actuate the other closure panels in said seriesbetween their extended and storage positions.

4. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 3wherein said selected closure panel carries sprocket wheel means rotatedby said motor drive means, and stationary drive means extending alongthe length of said supporting beams which is operatively engaged withsaid sprocket wheel means whereby upon rotation of said sprocket wheelmeans said selected closure panel and other panels connected theretowill be driven along said supporting beams between said extended andstorage positions.

5. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said panel guide means comprises a roller track formed in eachof said supporting beams and wherein said plurality of closure panelsare provided with a plurality of rollers which move in said tracks alongthe length of said supporting beams when said closure panels are movedbetween their extended and storage positions.

6. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 6wherein said rollers are mounted for axial floating movement toaccommodate variations in the spacing between said two supporting beams.

7. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1including at least one underground storage compartment located proximatethe lower ends of said supporting beams on one side of said area to beenclosed, said plurality of closure panels being retractable into saidunderground storage compartment in folded relation to one another.

8. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said supporting beams comprise arched beams which aresymmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of said area to be enclosed.

9. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said plurality of closure panels comprises two independentlydriven series of closure panels disposed between each adjacent pair ofarched supporting beams, a first series of pivotally connected panelswhen in their extended positions serving to enclose the area betweenapproximately one-half of the length of said supporting beams and asecond series of pivotally connected panels when in their extendedpositions serving to enclose the area between the other onehalf of thelength of said supporting beams, said first and second series of panelsbeing in oppositely disposed relation and being movable outwardly awayfrom one another and downwardly when moved to their storage positionsand being movable upwardly and toward one another when moved to theirextended positions,

a pair of storage compartments one located proximate the lower ends ofsaid supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed and theother located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on theopposite side of said area, first motor drive means mounted on aselected one of said first series of panels and movable therewith foractuating said first series of panels between their extended and storagepositions, and second motor drive means mounted on a selected one ofsaid second series of panels and movable therewith for actuating saidsecond series of panels between their extended and storage positions.

10. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of saidsupporting beams, said panel guide means being at least partially openedadjacent the lower ends of said panel guide means to permit one end ofeach of a plurality of said panels to leave the path of said supportingbeams in order that the panels will be folded upon one another in saidstoragearea, and escape means located proximate said storage area fordeflecting one end of each of a plurality of said panels out of saidguide means to effect the folding of said panels in said storage area.

11. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of saidsupporting beams, a plurality of primary and secondary rollers on saidclosure panels, each of a plurality of said panels having one endcontrolled by a primary roller and its opposite end controlled by asecondary roller, said panel guide means comprising a primary rollertrack and-a secondary roller track, said secondary roller track being atleast partially opened adjacent the lower ends of said supporting beamsto permit said secondary rollers to leave the path of said supportingbeams while said primary rollers remain guided along the approximatepath of said supporting beams in order that the panels will be foldedupon one another in said storage area, and escape means locatedproximate said storage area for deflecting said secondary rollers out ofthe path of said supporting beams to effect automatic folding of saidpanels in said storage area.

12. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 11wherein said escape means deflects said secondary rollers completely outof said secondary roller track, and reentry means for guiding saidsecondary rollers back into said secondary roller track during movementof said panels to their extended positions.

13. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 12where said escape means is yieldingly biased to its normal operativeposition so as to be temporarily movable out of said position whenengaged by primary roller hub means associated with said primaryrollers.

1. A convertible swimming pool enclosure comprising, in combination, aplurality of arched supporting beams arranged in parallel spaced apartrelation to extend over a swimming pool area to be enclosed, each saidsupporting beam extending upwardly over said pool area from one side tothe other side thereof, the ends of each said supporting beam beingfixedly supported on opposite sides of said pool area and theintermediate portions of said arched supporting beams defining astationary curved roof frame structure extending in arched fashion oversaid pool area at a height substantially above the latter, panel guidemeans associated with said supporting beams, a plurality of rigidclosure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of said supportingbeams, said closure panels each being of a size sufficient to span thedistance between said pair of supporting beams and being pivotallyconnected to one another for movement along the curved path of saidsupporting beams under the control of said panel guide means, said guidemeans being in engagement with opposite end portions of said closurepanels to maintain said panels approximately tangent to said curved pathwhereby said closure panels when in their extended positions define asubstantially smooth curved surface corresponding approximately to thecurvature of said supporting beams, a storage area for said closurepanels adjacent a side of said pool area, and motor drive meansconnected with said plurality of closure panels for moving the samebetween extended positions wherein they enclose the area between saidsupporting beams and storage positions wherein they are retracted intosaid storage area in folded relation to one another, said panel guidemeans including folding means which effects folding of said rigidclosure panels relative to one another, said folding means beingproximate said storage area whereby when said closure panels are movedtoward said storage area a closure panel will begin to fold only afterit has reached a position proximate said storage area.
 2. Convertibleenclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of closure panels comprises two independent series of closurepanels disposed between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams, afirst series of pivotally connected panels when in their extendedpositions serving to enclose the area between approximately one-half ofthe length of said supporting beams and a second series of pivotallyconnected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose thearea between the other one-half of the length of said supporting beams,said first and second series of panels being in oppositely disposedrelation and being movable outwardly away from one another anddownwardly when moved to their storage positions and being movableupwardly and toward one another when moved to their extended positions,and a pair of storage compartments, one located proximate the lower endsof said supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed and theother located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on theopposite side of said area.
 3. Convertible enclosure apparatus of thetype defined in claim 1 wherein at least one selected closure panel of aseries of interconnected closure panels haS motor drive means mountedthereon, and said motor drive means being movable with said selectedclosure panel and serving to drive the same along said supporting beamsbetween said extended and said storage positions, said selected closurepanels thereby serving to actuate the other closure panels in saidseries between their extended and storage positions.
 4. Convertibleenclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 3 wherein said selectedclosure panel carries sprocket wheel means rotated by said motor drivemeans, and stationary drive means extending along the length of saidsupporting beams which is operatively engaged with said sprocket wheelmeans whereby upon rotation of said sprocket wheel means said selectedclosure panel and other panels connected thereto will be driven alongsaid supporting beams between said extended and storage positions. 5.Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 whereinsaid panel guide means comprises a roller track formed in each of saidsupporting beams and wherein said plurality of closure panels areprovided with a plurality of rollers which move in said tracks along thelength of said supporting beams when said closure panels are movedbetween their extended and storage positions.
 6. Convertible enclosureapparatus of the type defined in claim 6 wherein said rollers aremounted for axial floating movement to accommodate variations in thespacing between said two supporting beams.
 7. Convertible enclosureapparatus of the type defined in claim 1 including at least oneunderground storage compartment located proximate the lower ends of saidsupporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed, said pluralityof closure panels being retractable into said underground storagecompartment in folded relation to one another.
 8. Convertible enclosureapparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting beamscomprise arched beams which are symmetrical about a longitudinalcenterline of said area to be enclosed.
 9. Convertible enclosureapparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofclosure panels comprises two independently driven series of closurepanels disposed between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams, afirst series of pivotally connected panels when in their extendedpositions serving to enclose the area between approximately one-half ofthe length of said supporting beams and a second series of pivotallyconnected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose thearea between the other one-half of the length of said supporting beams,said first and second series of panels being in oppositely disposedrelation and being movable outwardly away from one another anddownwardly when moved to their storage positions and being movableupwardly and toward one another when moved to their extended positions,a pair of storage compartments one located proximate the lower ends ofsaid supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed and theother located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on theopposite side of said area, first motor drive means mounted on aselected one of said first series of panels and movable therewith foractuating said first series of panels between their extended and storagepositions, and second motor drive means mounted on a selected one ofsaid second series of panels and movable therewith for actuating saidsecond series of panels between their extended and storage positions.10. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of saidsupporting beams, said panel guide means being at least partially openedadjacent the lower ends of said panel guide means to permit one end ofeach of a plurality of said panels to leave the path of said supportingbeams in order that the panels will be folded upon one another in saidstorage area, and escape means located proximate said storage area fordeflecting one end of each of a Plurality of said panels out of saidguide means to effect the folding of said panels in said storage area.11. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of saidsupporting beams, a plurality of primary and secondary rollers on saidclosure panels, each of a plurality of said panels having one endcontrolled by a primary roller and its opposite end controlled by asecondary roller, said panel guide means comprising a primary rollertrack and a secondary roller track, said secondary roller track being atleast partially opened adjacent the lower ends of said supporting beamsto permit said secondary rollers to leave the path of said supportingbeams while said primary rollers remain guided along the approximatepath of said supporting beams in order that the panels will be foldedupon one another in said storage area, and escape means locatedproximate said storage area for deflecting said secondary rollers out ofthe path of said supporting beams to effect automatic folding of saidpanels in said storage area.
 12. Convertible enclosure apparatus of thetype defined in claim 11 wherein said escape means deflects saidsecondary rollers completely out of said secondary roller track, andreentry means for guiding said secondary rollers back into saidsecondary roller track during movement of said panels to their extendedpositions.
 13. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined inclaim 12 where said escape means is yieldingly biased to its normaloperative position so as to be temporarily movable out of said positionwhen engaged by primary roller hub means associated with said primaryrollers.